Since around 1990, open floor designs have dominated architectural design in newly constructed homes. To combine the kitchen and dining room, the dining room and living room, or all three into one large living area, or “great room,” has been the goal of several large renovation projects in older homes.
An open floor plan does not imply complete openness or the absence of any partitions between the rooms. Only communal areas are included in open floor layouts. Bathrooms, powder rooms, bedrooms, and home offices are examples of exempt spaces. The kitchen, dining room, and living room are typically included in open floor layouts.
Kitchen and dining area: Frequently, a kitchen and dining area are located in the same room. A kitchen island or peninsula may occasionally serve as a visible barrier between the two spaces.
Living room and dining room: A living room and a dining area share space. A handrail, two distinct paint colours, and a short flight of steps leading to a sunken area can all serve as visible separating lines.
An extremely large great room, sometimes with a vaulted ceiling, may link the kitchen, dining room, and living room.
But in some designs, you may find that maybe an open plan home is a little suffocating keeping in mind that all the 2 or 3 rooms are combined in such of course you want to maximise your space as much as you can and give out the illusion of a larger and much more open space.
Here are some of the ways in which you can maximise your space –
1. Create and imagine invisible walls
It’s time to consider zones and furnishings once you’ve chosen a design that suits you and your way of life. Imagine the area as a collection of rooms, which might seem bizarre. Use this as a guide when placing your furniture by imagining where the walls would be. To make the most of an open-plan layout, give each section a specific function. Furniture is going to be your barrier and which can give the illusion of invisible walls.
2. Lighting can be one of your assets don’t ignore it
Creating a lighting design early on will enable practical downlights and more aesthetically pleasing fixtures in an open-plan living area. To change the ambience, ask your electrician to connect zones on several circuits. Try to emphasize natural light wherever you can. For a striking first impression, try adding skylights or a roof lantern to a single-story addition or a home with sliding doors and a double-height room.
5. Create your own spaces or zones
Open-plan living is a popular option, and many modern designs now forgo the conventional sitting room in favour of a more casual area that seamlessly integrates with the kitchen and dining area. The important step is to define the space. The ideal method for zoning is to provide contrasts in flooring, furniture, colour, and design while preserving the design’s overall flow. A place may be effectively “zoned” using rugs.
6. Make use of the sliding doors
Consider placing pocket or sliding doors between areas to increase the adaptability of a particularly large space. You may have the perfect blend by having the option to seal off the soft sitting section to make the space cosier or hide the kids’ play area when you’re entertaining dining or cooking.
7. Create different storage for different areas
Clutter is the archenemy of open-plan living because it hides everything and makes entertaining and relaxing in your living area less enjoyable. To keep things accessible yet simple to tuck away, it’s crucial to have designated storage in each location, such as cabinets and bookcases in the lounge. Do not store unnecessary material in your kitchen storage.
These were some of the ways in which you can maximise your open space and at the same time make it more appealable as well.
